Okay, so we are going to go ahead and do the allergy shots. Just walking through grass twice a day to pee and after being *totally* clear at the boarding facility has inflamed her right back up. I can feed her on the porch but she does have to touch the ground at some point.....

Anyways! I would like to keep a log of her progress to try and decide if the allergy shots are helping or not. The one thing I know I will do is take a picture of her belly weekly (before her medicated bath). And also keep track of her ears, though they have been tame with her on ketoconazole. Are there any other symptoms I should track? Are you all interested in this, should I post it here on the forum?

BullyLady wrote: Are you all interested in this, should I post it here on the forum?

Yes... PLEASE!!!

Are you planning on doing the shots monthly, even through the winter?

All the time, no seasonal stopping. She's had this infection for nearly a year now, starting in September last year and it lasted all through the winter, so yea.... seems like I should do them in the winter as well.

BullyLady wrote:All the time, no seasonal stopping. She's had this infection for nearly a year now, starting in September last year and it lasted all through the winter, so yea.... seems like I should do them in the winter as well.

Hmmm... but the infection is secondary to (or "caused by") the allergy break-outs, right? I'm wondering if you can get the infection under control in the winter time, and start the shots when allergy seasons comes around again next year...? If it's a true grass allergy (like Fausts) Shelby should get a lot of relief during the colder months... Faust is okay from about the end of October 'til the end of April. Once our grass is long enough to need mowing I can pretty much count on a break-out immediately... I'm guessing that's why you're having her tested, right? To get a clear idea of what's really causing her issues?

Believe me, over the span of 12 years it WOULD be more cost effective to pave the yard, AND you wouldn't have to mow

When Trouble was going through the allergy shot thing, we were instructed to keep a log. They wanted to know EVERYTHING. What did she eat, what time did she eat it. When were her baths, what products did you use. What snacks did you give, how many, what size, how many per day. What symptoms did you see today, were they better or worse than the day before. What medications were given, at what times.

You are looking for any pattern, that would give a clue that that combination is causing or contributing to the problem. I still have about a two (maybe three) year log of Trouble.

hugapitbull wrote:Believe me, over the span of 12 years it WOULD be more cost effective to pave the yard, AND you wouldn't have to mow

When Trouble was going through the allergy shot thing, we were instructed to keep a log. They wanted to know EVERYTHING. What did she eat, what time did she eat it. When were her baths, what products did you use. What snacks did you give, how many, what size, how many per day. What symptoms did you see today, were they better or worse than the day before. What medications were given, at what times.

You are looking for any pattern, that would give a clue that that combination is causing or contributing to the problem. I still have about a two (maybe three) year log of Trouble.

I wouldn't have thought of foods and baths, good idea! I guess I should get a notebook.... .

If you have a digital camera, you might even want to take a picture in the same light every second day

and yeah, anything different. Though we've never done the allergy journal. Different laundry soap, went to a new location (park, friend's house, etc), new cleaner in the house, accidentally ate ______,

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

I'd wait until she's been on them a week or two, but yes, I do think its worth it. I mean, if its a digital camera, why not, right? Its not like it costs anything...

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
_______________________________________
"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07